The Blues were looking to strengthen in central defence this summer but failed to sign key target Daniele Rugani.

Juventus’ 24-year-old appeared likely to reunite with Sarri at Stamford Bridge for around £35m.

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Chelsea news: 17-year-old centre-half Ethan Ampadu could get more match action this season

“Is there really a need for another centre-back?”

Pat Nevin

But the Serie A giants ultimately played hardball and proved unwilling to do business as Chelsea missed out.

Nevin, though, suggests Ampadu, who has made seven first-team appearances, can fill the void and save the club as much as £50m in the long run.

The pundit and former Blues ace told Chelsea’s official website: "It all began to feel a bit last-minute as the squad finally took shape just before the transfer window closed.

"Would the extra midfielder arrive in time? Would we get the goalkeeping dilemma sorted? Is there really a need for another centre-back?

"In the midst of all this, one man seemed quite relaxed, laid back to the point of disinterested, and fortunately for us it was Maurizio Sarri.

"The other midfielder duly arrived from Real Madrid in the shape of Mateo Kovacic, we got in a younger model for the sadly departed Thibaut Courtois in goal and anyone who watched our game against Lyon will be aware that Ethan Ampadu is very likely to push David Luiz, Toni Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Gary Cahill as much as just about any other centre-back we could have thrown £50m or £60m at."

However, he could join Milan full-time in 2019 for a fee in the region of £35m.